The following are five simple truths.  Please reflect on them.

1. Neither you nor I are perfect.

2. We descend from imperfect people.

3. Those who preceded us operated under a different set of rules and ideas concerning religion, racial relationships, social classes, and sex.

4. We can honor a historical personage for his or her contributions to society without approving all aspects of their character or behavior.

5. We should hold to those things that bind us together as a nation.